Introduction: Community Education in Neoliberal Times.- PART I. Community Education, Philosophies and Practices.- Chapter 1. Models of Community Education.- Chapter 2. Community Education in Ireland.- Chapter 3. Critical Education and Community Education.- PART II. The Neoliberalisation of Community Education.- Chapter 4. Community Education and Employability.- Chapter 5. Community Education and Accreditation.- Chapter 6. Insiders, Outsiders and the Professionalisation of Community Education.- Chapter 7. Re-Kindling Community Education in Neoliberal Times.

“Fitzsimons has expertly documented the damage wrought by neoliberal policies on the collective, equality-based ethos of community education in Ireland. Her groundbreaking, accessible analysis is essential reading for those interested in community education and its future. In Ireland and abroad, students, educators, and policymakers will benefit from paying it close attention.” (Thomas Murray, Adult Education Quarterly, Vol. 68 (3), 2018)“It will certainly appeal to a wide audience and, I suspect, especially practitioners, helping those engaged in community education reflect critically on their practice and consider the opportunities for broadening the field and reinvigorating community education and its potential. … It is a valuable contribution to the theory and practice of community education and, arguably succeeds in it stated aim of ‘nudging practitioners towards a more radical way of working.’” (Louise O’Meara, The Adult Learner, 2017)

“This book is based in the tradition of critical pedagogy and gives voice to practitioners by drawing on empirical research with over 220 community educators to assert an anti-neoliberal perspective. It makes an important contribution to the field of community education through engaging with current debates that, although they are focused on Ireland, have strong relevance in wider international contexts.  Throughout the book readers are encouraged to engage in problem-posing, dialogical, approaches and to understand the importance of collectivism and social justice.” (Lyn Tett, Professor of Community Education, University of Huddersfield, UK)

"This book is based in the tradition of critical pedagogy and gives voice to practitioners by drawing on empirical research with over 220 community educators to assert an anti-neoliberal perspective. It makes an important contribution to the field of community education through engaging with current debates that, although they are focused on Ireland, have strong relevance in wider international contexts. Throughout the book readers are encouraged to engage in problem-posing, dialogical, approaches and to understand the importance of collectivism and social justice." (Lyn Tett, Professor of Community Education, University of Huddersfield, UK)

Explores the impact of neoliberalisation on community education Argues that community education has been negatively reshaped by forces of labour-market activation, vocationalisation and marketisation Sets out an in-depth study of community education practices and policies in Ireland